DAYTON, Tenn. – The No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team split the final two regular-season road games, winning the first game 12-0 before losing 5-3 against Bryan College (Tenn.) on Thursday evening.
The Grizzlies (34-12) scored five runs on seven hits in the first inning, had a 9-0 lead by the third frame and closed out the game with three more runs in the fifth inning.
Senior Tori Robinson paced the 14-hit offensive attack with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. She scored two runs and drove home two more tallies. Senior Elyssa Melton and sophomore Ruth Jones each collected two hits and drove in two runs.
Senior pitcher Taylor Hansis allowed four hits and had seven strikeouts in the complete-game victory. The win improved her record to 18-5 for the season.
In the second game, Bryan (20-26) used a three-run fifth inning to build a 5-1 lead before GGC mounted a furious rally in the top of the seventh inning. Junior Sydney Willhite connected on a RBI double to score the first of two runs in the inning. Melton added a run-scoring single before the team left the potential game-tying run at first base.
Turning Point
The Lions took advantage of a two-out error to bring home two runs to build a 5-1 lead in the second game. A bases-loaded walk to Maryah Sober scored the first run. A throwing error by the GGC defense brought home two additional runs in the inning.
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Crystal Busbee connected on a run-scoring double to bring home RaeQuinn Rossetti
Tori Robinson gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead with a RBI single
Sydney Pelaez hit a double to score Tori Robinson
Elyssa Melton followed with a RBI double to bring home the fourth run of the inning
Ruth Jones capped the big first inning with a run-scoring single
Top of Second
Ruth Jones hit a run-scoring single to extend the team’s lead to 7-0
Top of Third
Aubree Cox scored on a double steal
Tori Robinson hit a RBI double off the wall in left field to score Anya Vandersip
Second Game
Bottom of Third
Heidi Smith gave the Lions the lead, 2-1, with a run-scoring double
Bottom of Fifth
A throwing error allowed two runs to score as Bryan stretched the lead to 5-1
Top of Seventh
Sydney Willhite connected on a RBI double to bring home Crystal Busbee
Elyssa Melton’s single brought home Taylor Takushi with another run in the late rally
Inside The Numbers
- GGC tallied 21 hits in the doubleheader, with 14 hits coming in the first game
- The Grizzlies recorded eight stolen bases between the two games
- Seven walks were drawn by GGC hitters
- Pitcher Taylor Hansis earned her 18th victory of the season
News & Notes
- GGC stands 34-12 on the season; Bryan is 20-26 in 2019
- Georgia Gwinnett College is ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
- The Grizzlies played their final road games of the regular season
- GGC won three of the four meetings this season against the Lions
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Brenau University (Ga.) on Senior Day this Saturday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.